Anderson concerned by England batting collapse

Anderson concerned by England batting collapse

James Anderson, England's Test vice-captain for the Ashes series, said the tourists batting collapse on day three was "not ideal".

James Anderson believes Chris Woakes is back to his best ahead of the Ashes but said England may need an inquest into their batting collapse against a Cricket Australia XI.

The tourists slumped from 77 without loss to 124-7 on day two at the Adelaide Oval, losing four wickets for three runs before Jonny Bairstow (61 not out) came to the rescue with support from Mason Crane (18).

Mark Stoneman (51) scored his third half-century in as many tour innings as England were all out for 203 just a fortnight before the first Test against Australia at the Gabba.

The Cricket Australia XI were teetering on 25-7 needing 264 to win before moving on to 70-7 at stumps following a magnificent spell from Woakes (4-17), but Anderson said England must ensure there is no repeat of such an alarming procession of wickets.

"It's not ideal but hopefully we're getting it out of the way before the Test series starts." Anderson said when asked about England's wobble on a day in which he was named as vice-captain for the Ashes series.

"It's something we've got to look at and probably have a chat about it after the game as to why it happened and what we could have done differently to stop it happening again."

Anderson was full of praise for Woakes, who was not at the peak of his powers against West Indies after recovering from a side strain.

"He's got better and better with every spell he's bowled, deserved four wickets and could have had more. He's back to his absolute best." he added.

England's leading Test wicket-taker expressed his gratitude to Joe Root after being installed as his deputy in the absence of Ben Stokes, but intended to take a senior role in any case.

"It's a really nice thing for Joe to ask me to do." the seamer said.

"I don't think it really changes my role in the team, as a senior player I've always felt I've got a responsibility to try and help out the guys.

"Myself, Stuart [Broad] and Alastair [Cook], who've been here before and had success here, play an important role on this trip so I don't see that changing."